Springbok has heart operation

South Africa prop Tendai Mtawarira says his rugby career is not under threat after having a medical procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat.

South Africa prop Tendai Mtawarira says his rugby career is not under threat after having a medical procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat.

The South African Rugby Union says Mtawarira, who left the Springboks' tour to Europe after a recurrence of heart palpitations, underwent the "minor" procedure on Wednesday. He was released from the hospital in Cape Town on Friday.

Mtawarira has managed the condition for some time, but had a recurrence of the palpitations on the morning of the game against Ireland last weekend. He was briefly hospitalised in Dublin.

In a statement on Saturday, the 27-year-old forward said the procedure was successful and there was "no need to worry."

"This is something that has happened to me before and can be treated ... it's not career-threatening."